Crutch



(ModeL) H. A. HEGKLER.

UNITED STATES HENRY A. HECKLER, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

CRUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,531, dated December6, 1881.

Application filed July 8, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. HEGKLER,a citizen of'the United States ofAmerica, residing at Quincy, in the county of Adams and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in OrutchAttachments on LowerEnd ofCrutches, Oork Legs, or (lanes; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters or figures of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an adjustable cushioned safety-ferrule forcrutches, canes, and other supports; and the novelty consists in theconstruction and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinaiterset forth, and specifically pointed out in the claim.

The object of the invention is to provide a support-ferrule in which theconcussion orjar due to its deposit upon the ground or pavement will becushioned upon the wearer, one which will be noiseless in use, and onewhich may be adjusted to expose ice-picks to the pavement at will,thereby affording safety against slipping of the support in icy weather.These objects are important, as the use of a support or a crutchaccompanies a dccrepid or maimed condition, such as would not be able toavoid a fall under ordinary circumstances, and such as would be the moreinjured by the fall.

In carrying out these objects I employ the mechanisms illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and inwhich- Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section; Fig. 2, a sideelevation, and Fig. 3 a detail.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of referenceindicate like parts in all the figures, A represents the cylindricalferrule, having a longitudinal slot, at, and projecting lugs E. WVithinthe cylinderAis housed a. spiral spring, (3, which serves with aconstant force to hold a cylinder-frame, d, carrying a rubber or otherflexible bearing, D, and a pin, d, "operates in the slot a to limit theaction of the spring in that direction. By this construction not onlydoes the rubber bearing D prevent a noise in striking the pavement, butthe spring 0 acts as a further cushion thereto.

F represents a metal ring or disk, provided with downwardly-extendingice-picks F and inner recesses, j, which correspond with the projectinglugs E upon the ferrule A. A setscrew, f, allows the ring F to besecured above the lugs E when not in service, and from that position itis adapted to be readily thrown into action by loosening the set-screwf, turning the ring until the lugs and recessesfregister, passing itdown below the lugs and securing it in that position, when the prongs orpr'icks F extend downwardly along the sides of the rubber bearing andoperate to prevent slipping when the support is in use.

I am aware that picks or prongs have been before used for a similarpurpose, and that it is not broadly new to employ springs in thisconnection, and these devices of themselves are not sought to be coveredin this application.

Modifications in details of construction may be made without departingfrom the principle or sacrificing the advantages of my invention, theessential features of which are the rubber bearin g, the cushioning-sprin g, and the adjustable ice-picks, in the relations andcombinations described, for the several purposes set forth.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The combination of the ferrule A, having lugs E and slot 11, thebearing-cylinder d, having pin (1, and the rubber bearing D, with thepronged recessed ring F ff and housed spring 0, as and for the purposesset forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, HENRY A. HECKLER.

Witnesses:

HARRY A. STEWARD, F. G. HORNE.

